Safeguarding Policy

1. Our Commitment

Crux Education is committed to protecting children and young people who receive its services from harm. The organisation aims to provide staff, volunteers, and service users with principles that guide its approach to child protection.

2. Who This Policy Applies To Summary:

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Crux Education, including senior managers, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff, and students.

3. Key Principles

The welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults is paramount.
All individuals have an equal right to protection from harm or abuse, regardless of their background.
Some children are more vulnerable due to previous experiences, dependency levels, communication needs, or other issues.
Working in partnership with children, young people, vulnerable adults, their parents, carers, and other agencies is essential in promoting welfare.

4. Keeping Children Safe

Crux Education will seek to keep children, young people, and vulnerable adults safe by:

Valuing, listening to, and respecting them.
Adopting best practices in child protection and safeguarding through policies and procedures.
Providing effective management for staff through supervision, support, training, and quality assurance.
Recruiting and selecting staff safely with necessary checks.
Recording, storing, and using information professionally and securely.
Sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families.
Ensuring that there are effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place.
Providing a safe physical environment by applying health and safety measures.
Building a safeguarding culture where everyone treats each other with respect.

5. Online Safety

Online assessments are conducted using Google Meet (or similar alternative), preventing unauthorised access.
Sessions are not recorded.
Screenshots of assessment materials may be taken but no photographs of individuals are collected or stored.
Participants must be dressed appropriately for online meetings.
The assessor can terminate the call if there is a safeguarding concern and may inform relevant authorities if necessary.

6. Reporting Concerns

All staff and volunteers are aware of relevant legislation and will follow the appropriate procedures if a concern arises, including following Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidelines.

7. Contact Information

Nominated Child Protection Lead: Jayson Cox-Darling (07942287783)
Crux Education - Safeguarding: hello@cruxeducation.uk
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

8. Review and Updates

This policy is reviewed and updated regularly to ensure it remains current and effective.
This policy was last reviewed January 1, 2025

9. Further Information

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--212
- This is the primary guidance document for schools and other educational settings on child protection.
Working Together to Safeguard Children: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--234
- This inter-agency guidance outlines how different agencies should work together to protect children.
Children Act 1989: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41/contents
- This Act sets out the legal framework for the protection and welfare of children.
Children Act 2004: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/31/contents
- This Act strengthens the rights and protection of children.
Children and Social Work Act 2017: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2017/16
- This Act aims to improve the quality of children's social work services.
Department for Education (DfE): https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education5
- The DfE website provides a wealth of information and resources on child protection.
NSPCC Learning: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/
- The NSPCC provides a range of online learning resources on child protection.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC): https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
- The NSPCC helpline offers advice and support on child protection issues.

10. Glossary of Terms

Safeguarding: Measures to protect the health, well-being, and human rights of individuals, especially children and young people, to live free from abuse, harm, and neglect.

Child Protection: Specific measures and structures to protect children from harm.

Vulnerable Adults: Individuals who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or exploitation, often due to age, disability, or illness.

Disclosure: When a child or young person tells someone about abuse or harm they are experiencing.

Whistleblowing: Reporting concerns about unsafe or unethical behaviour within an organisation.

Data Protection Legislation: Laws designed to protect personal information stored on computers or in an organised paper filing system.

The Crux Education Project Policies
Your Comprehensive Guide to our guiding principles

Safeguarding Policy